The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-03
and Hence the Chief Executive Has No
Official knowledge of Their Misdoings.
A Hideous Indian Relic Which Delights
the Savants of the Smithsonian.
National Banks Called on for Statement Of
Condition on First of August-Charges
Against District Commissioners.
EUGENE HIGGINS ET Al.

The President Is Not Likely to Punish Them
for Violating His Order.
Washington Special to New York Times.
at has been taken for granted that the Presi-
dent would at once do something to show to the
Maryland federal office-ho,dere that the letter
he wrote last year for the guidance of govern
ment officers must be regarded. That has been
the assumption of men who believe that the
President sincere when he prepared his
warning letter. and that he is sincere now. as he
has always been, in his professions such sub
jects. Ten days have elapsed and nothing has
been done Higgins has not been dismissed,
Thomas is still in his place and Rasin is still
naval officer. And the question has been asked:
Will the President, in view of all that has been
published, and having due regard for his own
letter against The too intrusive meddling OF Of
fice-holders With conventions, permit these
fragrant violations of his own instructions and
of common decency to pass unrebukedT Whether
he will not depends.
Up to this time. although the President has
read some reports charging the Maryland federal
officers named with disgraceful performances,
and ne has become aware that for the part they
took in carrying primary elections their remov-
al has been insisted upon. he has not heard one
word of complaint against any one of the many
men referred to. nor has any person brought or
sent to him request or demand that tney
should be made the subject of correction This
is considered eomewhat I remarkable by the Pres
ident for the reason that since he came to the
White House there has scarcely been q month
in which he has not heard something about po-
lltical troubles in Maryland. He has been aware
that the Democrats of that State are not always
harmonious: that there are two sets OF Demo-
Gratis, one of which is in power and the other
out
The Democrats who are out Of power have not
approved of some of these men, and they have
been supported in their oisapproval by some
gentlemen who are very earnest advocates OF
civil service principles. At times it has seemed
to the President as il the Democrats who
opposed to Mr.. German. and who consider his
management of the party unfortunate. have
been somewhat strenuous in putting the civil
service men forward to advance their interests
when the condition of things did not a!together
Justify the requests that were made with their
sanction.
Whatever the facts in the may be. and
whether the federal office-holders of the Higgins
and Thomas sort did fiagrantly violate the Presi-
dents letter, the President has present
means of knowing except by newspaper reports
1t has seemed altogether probable that if these
were all the grounds for complaint, the charges
against the officers named would have been
duced writing and formally lodged against
them. If such course had been pursued there
would have been other way TO determine their
truth or faisity than by an inquiry. Until thore
is some formal complaint made it is not likely
that there will be any attempt to meet the public
accusations against Rasin, Higgins, Thomas and
others.